During an event in Abuja, Nigeria, on Saturday, May 27, former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a subtle warning to President William Ruto regarding the collapsed bipartisan talks between the government and the opposition in Kenya. Uhuru cautioned against promoting a winner-takes-all mentality in the Kenya Kwanza government, emphasizing that it would only lead to divisions among Kenyans.
The ex-President stressed that if the bipartisan negotiations fail, it would have a negative impact on the country’s development agenda. He highlighted the importance of dialogue with the opposition, asserting that it is not a sign of weakness or denial of victory but rather a necessary tool for creating an inclusive Kenya that prioritizes progress.
Uhuru emphasized that an approach centered on winner-takes-all would only foster division and hinder national development. His remarks followed the suspension of bipartisan talks by the Azimio la Umoja coalition, which cited issues such as lowering the cost of basic commodities, preserving election servers, halting the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and resolving internal conflicts within the Jubilee Party as points of contention.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna announced the suspension of the dialogue, stating that the coalition was unable to persuade their counterparts to agree to reasonable interim measures. These measures included addressing the cost of staple food, safeguarding the integrity of election servers, postponing the restructuring of the IEBC, and refraining from interfering in the affairs of the Jubilee Party.